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| DOTW | ARYN PACK | VEKTREN PACK |
| Aryn Current Events | Vektren Current Events |

Blood is Owed...

PROLOGUE
Unpleasant News - Adrian learns that an old rival, Hekate, has come to the Domain with the intent to reform her cult, Vektren. Hekate has taken a distinct interest in Adrian and believes he is useful to her.

Dance with Devils - During Vektren's mercenary occupation of Vale, Adrian makes a deal with a power-hungry wolf named Alar. Adrian agrees to distract the Hekate and her cult long enough for Alar to stage a coup in Vale. In return, Alar helps Adrian find the medicine he desperately needs to save the life of his sweetheart.

Blood Strings - Fulfilling his deal with Alar, Adrian convinces Mistress Hekate that Vektren is in danger of being attacked. Hekate places Vektren under curfew, leaving Vale unprotected

A New King Rises - Without Vektren to protect them, Alar disposes of King Renier and Queen Wren, taking the crown for himself and blaming unnamed rebels for the crime.

A New Alliance - Alar attempts to cement his hold on Vale by reforming the alliance between the new regency and Vektren.

Battle for Vale | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Finale - Vektren and Alar lose their hold on Vale in a bloody rebellion. Aryn wolves aid the rebels, ensuring that Vektren and Alar's dictatorship is at an utter end.

A Dying Snake
Alar, now exiled from Vale on pain of death, goes into hiding. He is discovered by Hekate herself near the Vektreni border, who decides to sacrifice the false king to her gods as payment for the failure at Vale. But Alar cheats death by selling out Adrian, revealing that Adrian deliberately helped to deceive and betray Vektren. This is a crime which cannot go unanswered. Adrian and his family must pay.

PART I : SEEDS
The shadow of Vektren has grown long once more, and the servants of Senisteros have determined that Adrian's role in thwarting the Dread Father's plan for Vale is an offense which cannot go unanswered for. Three Vektreni spies infiltrate Aryn posing as refugees. Dark and sinister schemes are under way, which will leave no wolf untarnished. And now, on the cusp of spring, these vile undertakings begin.

Acceptance - Merrill, an orphan, comes to find security in her new home under the watchful eye of her surrogate father, Adrian

That Which is Sacred - Raphael tells Merrill a story about overcoming trials through faith.

Family First - Spying for Vektren, Seraph meets Nero at the border and questions him about his home. The Warden remains suspicious, but leaves her in peace.

One Foot Less - Heel encourages Aivar's to prove everyone wrong about being a cripple.

While undercover in Aryn, Heel prods Aivar into embracing recklessness & ambition.

Polite Inspiration - A hunt with Raghaalr gives Heel the idea to use the herds as a weapon.

The Kidnap | Part 2 | Part 3
[vektren's bison]
Heel, Seraph, and Jerikoh, disguised as outlanders seeking shelter, infiltrate Aryn as Honoured Guests. They quickly integrate themselves into the pack, earning the trust of the Arynians.

But when Merrill begins her first hunt, these infiltrators spring their ambush, kidnapping Adrian's daughter and violently restraining those who try to stop them.

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Alcatraz and Athena acknowledge that their Duty as Lord and Lady comes first, even in the face of great dangers.

Keep Me Together - After the betrayal that nearly killed Eden, Kane makes a heartfelt confession to her - and finds his feelings reciprocated!

The Posse | Part 2 | Part 3
Aryn rushes to assemble a posse and pursue the traitors who have taken Merrill. Anticipating this, Vektren sends a second group of wolves to intercept the posse, giving Merrill's kidnappers time to hide their trail.

Ruebane's presence and the direction of the retreat leaves Aryn believing that Blutwald exiles are responsible for the attack, not Vektren.

We Are Stronger
Athena tells the pack what has transpired, explaining that Blutwald renegades are to blame and promising that those who have betrayed Aryn will answer for their crimes.

Faith In Each Other - When young Echo seems frightened, the Lady approaches her pack sister to offer words of encouragement and support.

All I Ask - Cricket feels the tragedy of Merrill's loss keenly, and after a heated exchange with his mother, flees to High Country to grieve alone.

Neshama - Athena and Alcatraz struggle to cope with the aftermath of Merrill's kidnapping, but find strength in their love

What About Love - Hani returns to learn of Lawson's condition after the attack, and they face the truth about their feelings for one another

A Wet Trip - Lagging behind due to her injuries, Shiru is intercepted by a grief-crazed Amara who attempts to drown her. Shiru barely escapes.

I'll Bring Her Back - Raphael confides in Aivar, and the young Ranger vows to save Merrill and bring her home safely.

Traz offers Raph comfort and understanding after Merrill's loss

We'll Smile Again - Ragha offers comfort and counsel to Athena in the wake of Merrill's abduction and the failed attempt to rescue her. They share faith in Aryn's unity and one another.

Purple Heart - Athena visits Lawson after their ill-fated skirmish with the "Blutwald" rogues. Both admit fear for the future, and uncertainty regarding their enemies plans.

Blessings Amidst Darkness - Kane tells Ragha of his engagement to Eden, and the two take comfort in one another's company after the attack on Aryn.

Curiousity About the Bitter - A newcomer to Aryn, Shoshana, notices the tension in Aryn and asks Tzuriel for an explanation as to its cause.

Duty and Devotion - Tzuriel tells Shoshana of his upcoming mission to Fellfang, and confesses his affection for her in a difficult farewell.

Stepping Into the Unknown - Echo and Tzuriel set out for Fellfang.

Old Enemies, Old Friends - Echo and Tzuriel travel to Fellfang to ask their allies for help with so many Arynian's wounded or abroad. Vanguards Baely and Nach agree to give aid honour of the packs' alliance.

The North Remembers | Part 2 - Amara, Killian, and Aivar travel to Vale seeking aid in the hunt for Merrill's kidnappers. Nyru, Lycan, and Elisabet meet the diplomats.
[The Moth Remembers ] [Watchin u Aivar ] [You Scared Bro? ]

Tear it From My Chest

Fearing for Merrill's safety, Adrian tells Raphael the truth about why she was taken and who is to blame. Raph is devastated - especially when Adrian asks him to help keep this a secret from the pack. Even if it means leaving Merrill to the mercy of the Black Ones.

Now that he knows Adrian's secret, Raphael is terrified by the prospect of this decision effecting whether Merrill lives in torment or dies in agony.

All in Due Time - Hellion is worried about how Merrill is coping with her captivity and checks in on her. Hekate intercepts him before he leaves, and he questions her motives.

Shoshana finds peace during Tzuriel's absence, knowing that their love is strong.

Through Heaven's Eyes | Part 2 | Part 3 - Kane and Eden are wed and Aryn celebrates their union with a feast and song. Most of the pack rejoices and takes solace in this moment of great happiness. But those closest to Merrill feel betrayed by their packmates' joy.

Kane and Eden seek out Raphael and try to help him come to terms with his mysterious grief.

You Again - Nero crosses paths with Seraph in the borderlands and looses control. Seraph manages to escape, hurting Nero in the process and keeping Vektren's secrets.

Debrief - Nero rushes home after a second run-in with Seraph leaves him wounded and off-balance. Athena questions her son and attempts to comfort him, torn between her duties as a mother and as Aryn's Lady.

Jerikoh attempts to interrogate Posie, but fails to learn anything useful.

Surprise Interrogation - Baely meets two loners and attempts to question them about Blutwald's presence in the area, inadvertently giving Tsuii and Tollek's band a considerable amount of information in return.

Diplomatic Discommunity... - Amara and a small entourage travels to Highvalley. King Rodwen is her uncle, and she hopes their blood-ties will secure aid from Highvalley in the hunt for Blutwald. First impressions... are not so pleasant.

Blackroot - Raphael has a nightmare about Aryn burning, and Teia offers him comfort without question

Aivar overhears Athena and Nyru, and unwittingly learns about his real parents - Alar and Lillith. Shocked and upset, he flees the scene.

Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken

Merrill has proven resistant to Hekate's manipulation. But Hekate knows how to get what she wants. If Merrill will not submit willingly, there are other methods... If soft manipulation is ineffective, Vektren will mold their captives mind through less friendly methods.

Monster

When friendlier methods of winning Merrill over fail, Hekate throws the young captive into the pits. There, a half-starved, delusional Janus is given free reign with her. Merrill sees firsthand what becomes of those who defy Vektren's gods. She begins to believe she is truly alone, that not even the light of the One can reach her here. And in that moment, she finally breaks.

Merrill's Fate

As snow begins to dust the landscape, Athena makes a difficult choice. After almost five months with no terms of ransom or sign of her, it assumed Merrill is dead and the search for her is called off so that Aryn can begin preparing for the winter months to come.

[]

Sorrow - Distraught over losing Merrill, Raph confides his secrets in Aivar, and the two decide they cannot trust the law to protect their loved ones.

Aivar slips away from the pack, intending to find Vektren and Merrill.

Raphael is tormented by his loss of faith in Aryn's leaders and law.

A Pit of Trouble | Part 2 - Aivar falls into one of Vektren's traps, where Shenandoah finds him and provides him with a very different view of his true father, Alar. When Jerikoh appears, a number of unsettling revelations are unearthed, and tough decisions have to be made.

Perception - Aivar tells Raph what he's learned... but isn't met with much agreement

Serpent in the Snow - Janus dons a disguise and attacks Riga

Fear and paranoia begin to overcome Storm, causing her to retreat further and further from her family.

Laz is overwhelmed by the fear and changes in his once peaceful home, and doesn't know how to cope with these new feelings and dark days.

The Escape - Fearful of the dangers and uncertainty in Aryn, Lazarus decides to run away. He asks Seven to come with him, but she refuses - devastated by his abandoning their family.

Commiseration - Seven feels isolated and alone, and Raghaalr comforts her after Lazarus's flight.

Anodyne

On an early morning walk, Tzuri crosses path with an "Old Grizzly" who seems to know an awful lot about Aryn. But there's something sinister about him... When Hedge discovers that his sister still lives, he begins to think revenge might be within his grasp, even after all these years. He retreats abruptly, leaving Tzuriel wondering what sort of trouble might be brewing.

Lions and Sheep

While scouting out Aryn's strengths and weaknesses, Hedge discovers that his own son counts among their number. Furious at Adrian's betrayal, he confronts the wounded Vicar, only to find a firm opponent. Adrian remains unyielding in his loyalty to Aryn... but Hedge promises retribution.

When the Nightmare Comes

Retreating hastily from Aryn's border after Adrian's rejection, Hedge seeks shelter in a nearby swamp only to discover that he is not alone. A strange pack has laid claim to these barren lands... one which might share common accord with the dethroned Lord of Aryn.

Honourable - Adrain tells Athena of Hedge's reappearance, and the two share a moment of understanding.

A Deal Between Devils

Hekate and Hedge begin planning their revenge in earnest. For the crimes of Adrian and Athena, all of Aryn will suffer. The devils they have offended do not forget nor forgive, and will have what is owed them one way or another.

Nero struggles with hatred and rage after all that has happened, and Mother Teia offers him empathy and guidance in hopes that he might find peace.

Trapped - Robin rescues Lazarus from a cave in, and he shares his past with her before deciding it's time to return home and stop running.

To Aryn - Robin and Lazarus travel back to Aryn, and upon hearing his story in a more organized fashion, Robin gives Laz some advice.

Hunt - Haunted by the attack that nearly killed her, Eden stalls during a hunt, but her family calls her back and gives her the strength to move forward.

An Unexpected Savior - Taking Teia's lesson to heart, Nero intervenes to save the life of an enemy.

A Lord and a Father - Seven tells Lord Alcatraz the truth about his son Lazarus's disappearance.

Raphael continues to grieve, and labours over the loss of trust in Adrian, and the question of whether or not allowing Aivar to leave was the right choice.

The divide between Raphael and Adrian continues to define their interactions. But where Adrian seeks redemption, Raphael struggles to escape his demons.

We All Have Battle Scars - Amara sings, a gesture which offers many Arynians a sense of reprieve and Unity, though some others only feel more set apart by recent tragedy...

Everything The Light Touches - Elias follows his father, his first venture beyond the den. But this joyous event is tempered by a frightening warning, as Merrill's kidnapping continues to haunt the pack.

Honesty and Innocence - Elias follows Raphael into the wilderness and offers him some unsolicited advice about forgiveness.

Become the Monster

After months of merciless re-education, Merrill surrenders to her captors. Hekate comes to evaluate the young wolf and further divide her from her past, by informing Merrill that Aryn has abandoned their search for her. Faced with the promise of an end to her suffering and no hope for future rescue, Merrill finally opens herself to the possibilities of life in service to the Shunned Ones.

Faith - Merrill is allowed out of the Pits and placed under the care of Persephone, who gives her a bath and promises her friendship... though not without strings attached.

Ragha empathizes with the pain Adrian faces over losing his child, and takes a moment to grieve for what has been lost.

A Voice in the Wilderness - Elias reaches out to an increasingly distant and disillusioned Raphael

Rabbi'ts - Dyana crosses paths with Hedge, who spots a unique opportunity.

The Water Rose Today - Elias mourns his brother's loss, and Raphael admits to being the cause of it, only to recieve an unexpected reply.

The Return - Robin and Lazarus reach Aryn and the runaway is welcomed home with open arms.

Midnight Worries | Part 2 - After a vicious attack from loners testing Aryn's border, Dee seeks out Hedge, and discusses Arynian life with him at length.

My Mother's Avenger - Urs learns about the tragedy of Merrill from her mother, and vows revenge on those that wounded Eden.

Where Loyalties Lie - Ronelle, a new arrival to Aryn, trains under Aivar and is met with suspicion

Bear Ye One Another's Burdens - Raphael and Dyana are sent on a 'pilgrimage' to High Country.

A Broken Song - Raphael asks Adrian a difficult question, and recieves a difficult answer.

...Blood will be paid."

[[On to Part 2]]